Tyriq Blanding commitment preview: Will the defensive lineman pick Penn State tonight?
Friday is decision day for Class of 2023 defensive tackle Tyriq Blanding.
Will Penn State land him?
It could be a big weekend for the Lions. Numerous official visitors are in town. As for Blanding, who plays at Christ the King Regional in New York, he took his 48-hour all-expenses-paid trip to State College last weekend. Then, he set his decision date for Saturday initially. But, an announcement is now set for 8 p.m. Friday.
Here’s everything you need to know to get ready for the pick.
Where Penn State stands in the Class of 2023 entering the day
Penn State enters the weekend with 12 Class of 2023 verbal commitments. It has been a busy week for the Nittany Lions. They picked up a new addition when three-star Lansdale, Pa., North Penn receiver Yazeed Haynes committed on Sunday. However, a day later, they lost a pledge from three-star offensive lineman Joshua Miller, as he flipped to Georgia.
Two seniors are committed to Penn State along the defensive line. Three-star edge Jamieal Lyons, who is from Philadelphia, picked the Lions in April. Then, there is Mathias Barnwell. The four-star from Virginia committed to PSU last September as a tight end, However, he now projects as a defensive tackle.
All told, eight current commits plan to play offense. Four, then, will suit up on defense.
Who are the contenders for Blanding?
Penn State is the only school that has hosted Blanding for an official visit. However, it is not the only school with a hat on the table.
Back in April, Blanding went on a cross-country swing that took him to Syracuse, Michigan, Oregon, and Washington. He has not yet shared a list of top schools prior to making his announcement. However, it is believed that those programs are the ones fighting Penn State to land him.
What he’s said about Penn State
Blanding was blown away by his official visit last weekend. He told BWI that this trip allowed him to see more of campus while also interacting with the coaching staff more. That was compared to to an unofficial visit back during spring practice on March 21.
“I got a really good vibe,” Blanding told BWI. “It really felt like home. Coach Franklin, he does a really good job. He was always there. He was there and with me all the time. It was important to get my family there. Obviously, I’ve been there before, but it’s always good to get my mom’s opinion on it. She knows what’s best for me. And, she really liked it too.”
On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine has a clear favorite
Penn State sits with a commanding lead in the On3 Recruitng Prediction Machine ahead of what is expected to be a Saturday afternoon announcement.
Headlined by a RPM pick from BWI recruiting insider Ryan Snyder, the Lions are a 97.9 percent favorite.
Final word
Penn State appears to be in good shape for a prospect it made a priority over the last few months. Stay tuned to Blue-White Illustrated for complete coverage once Blanding makes his choice public.
